40 minutes and 29 seconds

I did it. This morning I participated in my first 5K. I was supposed to do it with Rachael but I couldn't get a hold of her. (Susannah told me later that she probably was in Park City.) Then I was going to call Suzanne but Aaron said that he wanted to do it with me. But because of some early morning complications (ask Meridith about it), I ended up having to do it alone.

I was pretty sure that it would take me an hour to do the whole thing. My original goal was supposed to be 40 minutes but I knew that that was unrealistic for me so I just did the best I could--hoping that I would get in under an hour. Imagine my shock when I ran over the finish line and looked up at the clock: 40 minutes 29 seconds. I started to cry. I couldn't believe it--the fact that I actually finished it and in time. What in the world? How did that happen? I actually did it. I can't believe it.

My favorite part was grabbing the water from the people handing it out, drinking it and throwing it on the ground with the rest of the cups. I felt really cool--something that hasn't happened since, let's be honest, junior high or high school.

Thank you to Suzanne and Rachael for the inspiration and the encouragement and to Aaron for his constant support.

Next year I'm going to do it in 35.